OK, call me crazy. Call me irresponsible. Heck, you can even call me Steve if you like – but I guess I’ve always been one to, I don’t know, bristle a bit at the implication (or even outright command) that I really “should” set blogging goals.

Thus my first reaction to Brian Scocco’s end-of-the-year group writing project “2008 Blogging Goals” was, you might say, leaning somewhat toward the negative.

I said to myself, “Self, maybe you should finally give this goal-setting thing some thought. Why not examine the subject from all angles, analyze it extensively, and then share with the audience the benefit of your wisdom and intelligence?” (Alas, Self has a rather high opinion of, er, himself. Humor him, won’t you?)

But then I thought, “Naw – all that analysis sounds like waaaay too much work.” So I’ll just tell you what I think instead.

See, I’ve come to realize the value of never setting blogging goals.

Goals? Uh, What’s a Goal?

Oh, sure; you’re first thought is probably something along the lines of “Sheesh, this goofball whack job fine upstanding fellow (oh, and handsome; let’s not forget that one!) will probably never accomplish a thing without setting some goals.”

Now, before I respond with rapier-like wit (long, thin, and utterly useless against someone with a large-caliber pistol), let’s think about it a bit (sound of grinding gears): what kinds of goals are we talkin’ here? What would we bloggers typically want to accomplish?

Conveniently, Daniel listed a few items we can use to get started:

• Daily unique visitors
• Daily page views
• RSS subscribers
• Number of weekly posts
• Average number of comments received per post
• Alexa or Compete rank
• Technorati rank
• Google Pagerank
• Monthly revenues
• Backlinks
• Search engine ranking positions
• Popularity on social bookmarking sites (i.e. stories featured on Digg)
• Popularity on online communities (i.e. MyBlogLog)

As you might imagine (or if you’ve actually been doing these things already – then you know) improving your metrics in just these categories alone can (and usually does) consume considerable time. And there’s no shortage of subjects to learn and master. No doubt the results are definitely worth it, too – I mean, just look at some of the top money earners to get a glimpse of what’s possible.

BUT (and you’ll notice, that’s a really BIG ‘but’) I simply don’t have the time for it! Even worse (gasp!), I’m not even planning to make the time for it. (Oh, the humanity!) See, for me there’s just no need. And it’s not because I’m a rebel (although I can be). It’s not even because I have low aspirations.

Yes I’m Serious About Blogging… But It’s Only a Hobby

The thing is, for someone like me (and if you’re like me – then I offer my condolences), let’s face it, blogging is only a hobby (at least, so far).

I mean, kudos to all the folks out there earning actual, you know, money from your blogs (and there are plenty). And lots and lots of kudos (and cold hard cash) to those who are earning enough to make a living at it. Congratulations, and a big tip o’ the hat to ya!

For me, though, time for writing here at Middle Zone Musings is something I squeeze in between all the other stuff going on in my life. After all, I work full-time for a major engineering firm; there’s the house to take care of; I have a family… and a body’s gotta sleep sometime.

Good gosh, I barely have enough time for a post a day now! And sometimes… well, occasionally it just doesn’t happen. Se la vie, you know? (As you know, se la vie is a 17th century French term that means pull up a chair, take a load off, and set a spell. It’s our motto here at the Zone.)

(Now before you get your tights all bunched up in a knot, please take note – I’m talking about goal-setting, not getting organized. Learning and practicing ways to be more organized and efficient is a completely different animal. Come to think of it, it’s certainly the closest thing to a blogging goal I’d set for myself.)

Nope; I’m talking about goal setting, and the bottom line is this: setting blogging goals is great for those of you are really interested in rapidly improving the quality of your blogs. But by doing so, you should be aware of the pressure you’re adding to your lives (sound of terrified scream).

Now, for someone willing to pay the price for that kind of thing, then I say Go for it, Bubba! (Or for the ladies, should I say, Go for it, Bubbette? Doesn’t seem to work, does it?) As for me, I’m more the “slow and steady wins the race” type. And to tell you the truth, it works – for me.

Here’s a radical thought: Perhaps it could work for you too.

The Proof is in the Pudding

“So how’s that workin’ for ya?” I can hear you ask. (And who are you, Dr. Phil?)

Well, let’s see… for exhibit “A”, why not take a quick glance at how Middle Zone Musings performed as a blog in 2007. In January, MZM’s Technorati Rank was almost 1,000,000; I think I had probably 4 or 5 feed readers (Question: is a feed reader like a speed reader, except they eat more?); not to mention that at the beginning of the year I had no idea what the heck I was doing.

Nowadays, the Zone is ranked below 15,000 (amazingly, the Zone was actually a top 10,000 blog for awhile, thanks to my co-authorship – along with about 100 others – in Drew and Gavin’s The Age of Conversation Blook – yes, Blook – project this year), the feed count has gone as high as 71, and I know exactly who I am as a blogger, and what I want to write about.

Hmmm… by whatever standards you care to apply, it looks like what I’m already doing is working just fine: I mean, within one year there’s been a 6,600% increase in rank and a 1,400% increase in feeds. Not bad, if I do say so myself! (Admittedly, this is probably similar to the way a match burns brightly when first struck, then settles down to a steady flame… but still.)

Could it have happened faster? I’m sure it could have – but at what cost? Well, let me count the ways: less free personal time, more stress, and inevitably, less hair… (something I can ill afford to lose!) I could go on, but you get my point.

All I’m saying is, if you’re blogging for the fun of it, I’d hate to think you would let yourself be guilted (that shiny gold covering you find on otherwise cheap stuff to inflate its value) into doing all those things that “everyone” says you should be doing. After all, if everyone were to jump off the Empire State Building, then would you, er – (sorry; for a moment there I sounded just like my mother).

The Real Key to Long-Lasting Blogging Success

And finally… never forget; the real key to long-lasting success as a blogger is to become a better writer (and, who knows, maybe even a better person). After all, content, as they say, is still king, and that’s the one element you simply can’t afford to skip. Without it, you’re just an empty voice blowing in the wind (and lemme tell ya, there’s a lotta hot air blowin’ around out there in the blogosphere!)

But once your content is on the path to good, steady growth – well, then the question you have to ask yourself is this: At the end of the day, are you having fun with your writing?

Believe me, it’ll show if you’re not.